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Cites a study published in the September 1994 issue of the `Journal of Emergency Medicine' examining the value of computed tomographic (CT) scanning before lumbar puncture to rule out cerebral edema. Occurrence of death during lumbar puncture; Focused use of CT scanning; Importance of...

Examines the dangers of lumbar puncture through computed tomography scan. Consequences of the presence of intracranial mass due to lumbar puncture; Risks involved in lumbar puncture; Importance for doctors to consider factors before performing lumbar puncture.

Background: In adults with suspected meningitis clinicians routinely order computed tomography (CT) of the head before performing a lumbar puncture. Methods: We prospectively studied 301 adults with suspected meningitis to determine whether clinical characteristics that were present before CT of...